Nevada

Gas prices are expected to remain relatively low through 2015. This could be a benefit to Nevada's economy, but the extra driving has some environmental and air quality officials worried.

Low gas prices may be leaving Nevadans with extra money in their pockets, but more driving could mean more air pollution. Will Toor with the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project says research shows that in the past few years Nevadans are driving less in favor of public transportation, bicycling and walking. Despite gas prices being low right now, Toor is hopeful that this trend will continue.

Earlier this year, Tesla Motors chose Northern Nevada for its battery factory in exchange for a huge incentives package. It's a bounty for communities there that, until recently, have seen years of slow economic recovery. Will Stone of Reno Public Radio reported for NPR's Morning Edition on the impact of this factory.

When Lance Gilman talks Tesla, it can feel like a return to the days of the Gold Rush, silver mining and pioneers.

"The new Comstock Lode is sitting right in front of us right now. There is going to be tremendous financial growth."

The number of unauthorized immigrants in Nevada has dropped by roughly 20,000 people between 2009 and 2012. That's according to a new study just released from the Pew Research Center. Despite that decline, Reno Public Radio's Michelle Bliss reports that Nevada still has the highest percentage of this population nationwide.

More than 7 percent of Nevada residents, or about 210,000 people, are in the country illegally. Other states with a large share of unauthorized immigrants include California, Arizona, and Texas.

In Nevada, 20 percent of Hispanic children don't have health insurance, compared to 15 percent of Nevada kids overall, and a new report says the state could be doing more to reach out to Hispanic families.

Funding for Nevada's Millennium Scholarships is slated to run out in the next several years. The program is overseen by the state treasurer, a post that's up for grabs this election, and both major party candidates agree these scholarships are critical to maintain for Nevada families. But Reno Public Radio's Michelle Bliss reports they offer different ideas for keeping the program alive.

The state demographer says recent major economic developments, like landing Tesla's gigafactory, will bring close to 35,000 more residents to the state over the next two decades than what he had originally projected. Reno Public Radio's Michelle Bliss has the details.

Demographer Jeff Hardcastle just released his updated figures predicting that by 2032, Nevada will have 3.3 million residents.